Newsletter

We are excited to announce the winner of our last Trivia Triumph, where participants had the chance to win a two-night stay for two at Samburu Sopa Lodge on a full board basis.

The challenge was to answer: Once associated with royal lineage in ancient stories, this celestial giant appearing on clear, dark nights has long been a favourite target for stargazers and astro-photographers in the Northern Hemisphere. What is it? The first closest answer wins…

Congratulations, Maurice Abuli from Travel & Leisure. We look forward to welcoming you for your well-deserved stay. The correct answer is Andromeda Galaxy (M31).

We are proud to announce that Samburu Sopa Lodge has earned the prestigious Silver Ecorating Certification, a powerful recognition of our unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism.

This achievement reflects the dedication of our team and the meaningful steps we continue to take to protect the environment while uplifting the communities around us. From innovative waste reduction and energy efficiency initiatives to impactful local empowerment programs, our eco-assessment highlighted a holistic approach to responsible hospitality.

This milestone would not have been possible without the immense support of our sustainability arm, Land & Life Foundation, whose guidance and collaboration continue to strengthen our conservation journey.

At Samburu Sopa Lodge, sustainability is more than a goal, it is a promise. Together, we are shaping a greener future, one starlit safari at a time.

We are honoured to share some exciting news! Masai Mara Sopa Lodge has been nominated in the Hotel Category for the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026!

This prestigious recognition places us among the world’s finest hospitality experiences; and now we need your support to help us bring this award home.

Cast your vote and let us shine on the global stage - VOTE NOW!

• Log in/create Travel + Leisure account
• Select Africa → Kenya
• Hotels → Masai Mara Sopa Lodge

Your vote counts, let's bring this home! (Voting ends on the 23rd February, 2026)

This February and March, we step onto the global stage at two of the travel industry’s most influential trade events to create meaningful opportunities, deepen partnerships, forge new alliances and strengthen our presence across key international markets.

Meetings Africa: 23rd – 25th February, 2026 Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa Stand F05 | Hall AKBE We are excited to participate in Meetings Africa, an important step in expanding our footprint within the MICE and business tourism sector. This event provides a valuable opportunity to connect with key buyers, strengthen regional partnerships and showcase our diverse meeting and event offerings.

ITB Berlin: 3rd – 5th March, 2026 Berlin Expo Center City, Germany Stand 105 | Hall 20 From Johannesburg, we head to ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show. Here, we look forward to reconnecting with long standing partners, fostering new relationships and reinforcing our presence among global industry leaders. These events provide a dynamic platform to deepen collaboration, build new connections and strengthen existing relationships across international markets.

Our team will be available to showcase the latest from Sopa Lodges; from Samburu’s magical starlit experiences to our evolving portfolio of authentic safari offerings. We look forward to meeting you and shaping the future of travel together.

Nora was born in April 2014 to her mother, Narasha. She had a brother, M23. The two siblings were left by their mother in December 2013 and February 2014, and the two went separate ways.

Since attaining reproductive age in 2014, Nora conceived 15 times and gave birth to more than 11 litters, but only one male cub, born in 2016 in a litter of 4, survived.

Her last pregnancy was recorded in February 2023, but the cub died in less than a month. In older cheetahs, giving birth takes place in the afternoon as opposed to morning or night, thus exposing the weak cubs to predators. Cub rearing exposes female cheetahs to predators while reducing their mobility.

On 13th December 2025, the world was saddened to learn of the unfortunate death of Nora, the oldest cheetah in the Mara ecosystem, after being stalked and killed by a young leopard called Bella 2. This incident occurred as Nora walked to a water source, surrounded by several tourist vehicles who watched her being attacked to death. According to conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts, the noisy engines of the safari vehicles at close proximity prevented Nora from detecting Bella 2's approach. Some have also blamed the engine fumes, which led to the carnivore losing her sense of smell over time, eventually contributing to her inability to react to the predator. This, compounded by her age and several pregnancies which may have strained her body made her more vulnerable to the attack.

Such a leopard–cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) encounter is very rare; often the cheetah uses her speed to avoid conflict. Such happens when predators are in competition for food.

Encroachment of human activity is squeezing the Mara’s wildlife corridors, and the pressure often results in predators paying the ultimate price. As more land is fenced off for human activities and development, cheetahs and other carnivores lose habitat and safe passage, becoming casualties of a shrinking landscape. By 2022, the population of resident cheetahs in the Mara region had declined compared to 2020. Between 2021 and 2022, Maasai Mara continued to lose its cheetah population. Genetic vulnerability also remains a significant threat to cheetahs. They have low genetic diversity, making them more susceptible to disease and reducing their reproductive success. As a species, they do not always reproduce successfully, which puts them at risk of extinction.

As an advocate of ethical tourism, Sopa Lodges has developed a safari etiquette policy that we share with all our guides and guests. This initiative reflects our commitment to collective responsibility in conserving and protecting our wildlife and heritage.

We encourage all visitors, partners and members of the public to play their part in safeguarding our fragile environment. Respect wildlife viewing distances, minimize noise, avoid littering and support conservation focused tourism practices. Every responsible action, no matter how small, contributes to preserving the Mara’s delicate ecosystem for future generations. Protecting our environment is not only the duty of conservationists, but a shared responsibility for us all.

Norah was a symbol of the fragile nature of the species.

Compiled by Ludi (Masai Mara Sopa Lodge General Manager)

We are excited to extend a very warm welcome to Wonder Kariuki, our new Astrophysicist based at Samburu Sopa Lodge. Wonder brings with her not only academic excellence, but also a deep passion for the stars and a heartfelt commitment to making space science accessible to all.

At Samburu Sopa Lodge, Wonder’s presence adds a new dimension to the guest experience. Under the darkest unpolluted northern Kenyan sky, visitors now have the opportunity to connect with the universe in meaningful and inspiring ways.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Wonder Kariuki to the Sopa family; we are proud to have her among us, lighting the way as we look to the stars.

About Wonder Kariuki

Hello, my name is Wonder Kariuki. I am from Meru town and completed my Bachelor’s degree in Astrophysics and Space Science in May 2025.

From a young age, I was deeply drawn to documentaries centered on physics, such as Myth Busters and How Does That Work? When I discovered astronomy, I instinctively knew that my future was in space science. Many people questioned whether studying space science was “marketable,” but my parents, who have always supported me, stood by my decision and I never looked back.

At university, the possibilities were endless. It felt like a new door had opened. I was no longer alone in my curiosity. I joined space clubs and societies, volunteered with several organizations as an astronomer, and participated in numerous space-related events in Kenya.

Together with friends, I co-founded Cansat Kenya, a company that equips young people with STEM skills by building satellites in cans. We identified a gap in Kenya’s space industry and sought to address it through innovation and education. The journey is ongoing and I am proud of how far we have come.

Along the way, I developed skills in GIS analysis and data analysis, which strengthened my critical thinking and creativity. I have not settled into one specific sector and that is the beauty of space. It allows you to explore different paths and discover where you fit best.
Over time, I realized I wanted to make space more accessible on a personal level, so I turned to writing. Space communication plays a key role in education and outreach. I enjoy researching and sharing knowledge in ways that inspire others. I have published articles in several newsletters and have presented at conferences such as the 2nd Colloquium of the African Space Leadership Institute, where I spoke on Space Education in Africa.

Later, I discovered Cultural Astronomy. Astronomy is often viewed as a purely Western discipline, yet African communities have long held rich astronomical knowledge embedded in culture and tradition. This realization drew me into Astro-tourism, where science and cultural astronomy intersect. At Samburu Sopa Lodge, I now guide guests to experience the night sky through both scientific understanding and cultural storytelling and I truly love witnessing the breathtaking Samburu skies.

Kenya’s space sector is steadily growing. Rather than going abroad to contribute to other nations’ space development, I chose to begin at home. I am grateful to be part of this journey and hope to contribute to an even bigger picture both continentally and globally.

More than two decades ago, four women came together with beads in their hands and uncertainty in their future. They did not know how to market, but they knew how to bead and the importance of supporting one another. From this spirit of solidarity, the name Inkidemi was born, meaning to carry one another.

Today, the Inkidemi Women Group operates from a dedicated space at Amboseli Sopa Lodge, provided by the lodge as part of its commitment to the host community. As Sopa Lodges celebrates 40 years, this year also marks 22 years of supporting Inkidemi, a relationship built on trust, continuity and shared belief in community empowerment.

What began with four women is now a group of 22 active members, with opportunities intentionally extended to vulnerable women, including widows and single mothers. Through their handmade traditional Maasai beadwork, culture has become a pathway to sustainable income.
Their work has enabled them to educate their children, (some now in secondary school, college, and university), access healthcare, provide food for their families, save together, and take part confidently in decisions at home and in the community. As Jackline Lamura, the group chairperson shared, “This project has given us a voice, confidence, and respect.”

Through our sustainability arm; Land & Life Foundation, the women recently met with the team to review their progress, strengthen product development, address current challenges, and explore growth opportunities for themselves and their families. Beyond generating income, Land & Life continues to provide ongoing support in financial literacy, design and development, helping the women build confidence, strengthen their enterprises and create lasting resilience.